Casino impact, mental health contract on Board of Supervisors agenda

An agreement regarding the impact of a casino proposed by the Pinoleville Pomo Nation and a contract for the county's mental health services are items on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors' Tuesday meeting agenda.

At 9:45 a.m., the board will consider signing a memorandum of understanding with the Pinoleville Pomo Nation and the Ukiah Valley Fire District regarding "off-reservation" impacts of the tribe's proposed casino and hotel project, to be constructed at 2150 N. State St. in Ukiah, according to a summary.

The proposed casino would be built in two phases on 8.8 acres of reservation land, according to the summary. It would include about 80,000 square feet of gaming space, up to 749 slot machines, 20 table games and, along with restaurants, possibly a four-story, 25-room hotel and event center and a parking structure.

The board tabled the proposal to sign the agreement at its May 7 meeting because of last-minute communication from Caltrans on the project. The supervisors appointed to an ad-hoc committee on the casino project noted at that meeting that the tribe doesn't need the county's approval, and that the MOU was only to address impacts of the proposal.

The agreement includes road improvements, law enforcement and fire fees and payments to the county in lieu of taxes, among other provisions.

At 1:30 p.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider adopting a mitigated negative declaration under California Environmental Quality Act requirements for seismic retrofitting of a bridge on Moore Street over the West Fork of the Russian River in the Calpella area.

At 2 p.m., the board will consider awarding contracts to two private companies for delivery of its mental health services for adults and children.

The county in October issued a request for proposals and on Tuesday will consider contracting with Ortner Management Group for adult mental health services and with Redwood Management Company for children and youth mental health services.

(See Sunday's edition for more information on the proposed contracts.)